I am experimenting with different string combos. The combo of stick 4 is silky smooth and great feel, but is a tad too much power for my game.

The pro supex of stick 2 is great with this stick. Tons of spin, not too much pop, and great control.

I just strung the 1st stick today with the SOLINCO tour bite, so I'll give you more on this combo in a few days.

So far I love the feeling of the hybrid with the gut and poly, just need more time to get used to it. Probably will try Wilson champions choice next.

I have demo'd a ton of racquets and kept going back to my aeropro drive gt.........I loved the head prestige mp, but this once is special.........abou the same control and feel, but a bit more pop and comfort. I am done demoing.....this is this stick.

I have just purchases a brand new x-dual pro that is being shipped as we speak. This is the same stick as the pro one just in the 18x20 pattern. I am curious to do the comparison. I could wait till summer for the "pro one version" to be re-released so grabbed this one cheap.

I'm in. I've got 4 Pro 1's. 2 new, 2 bought off the boards. None of my Pro 1's have the sticker with specs and barcode for some reason.

1. Strung with the Donnay Hybrid of X-Poly 17 & Syncore @ 52/55

2. Full bed of Babolat NVY @56

3. Full bed of Donnay X-Poly 17 at 55

4. Unstrung as of yet

I like the hybrid set-up the best. Just the right amount of power and control. I'm going to string the 4th Pro 1 with a hybrid of some sort. Not sure what yet. I'm also looking to string one with a full bed of B5E. Have that in a Pro Open and love it. I'll be interested in hearing what other setups are working well for people.

I have just purchases a brand new x-dual pro that is being shipped as we speak. This is the same stick as the pro one just in the 18x20 pattern. I am curious to do the comparison. I could wait till summer for the "pro one version" to be re-released so grabbed this one cheap.

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I've got a demo of both the Pro One and the Dual Pro coming, so will be interested in your comparison; I'll share the same.

What's everyone's thoughts on the control versus power in the Pro One so far? Is it pretty string sensitive? Any arm/shoulder issues?

Took a chance and got a pretty good deal on a used Pro One on the auction site and must say I'm pretty close to making the switch. I'm currently using a Head YT Prestige MP and the OP nailed it...the Pro One has slightly less control and feel but noticeably more power and it's VERY easy on the arm. I've let 2 others hit with it and they both really liked it as well. My opponents have also commented on the increased pace and "heaviness" of my ball when I've switched back and forth while hitting.

So far I've only strung it with Kirschbaum Pro Line II 17 at 55 lbs (same set up as the YTPMP) and that feels pretty good, but I have some VS Touch lying around so may experiment with that in the mains with the PLII in the crosses.

I've tried various combinations of the weights but honestly it feels best to me in stock form. It felt sluggish with the weights at 3/9 and even with just one at 12. I've never liked really headlight racquets so the butt cap weights didn't do much for me either.

The grip size is 3/8 but it felt bigger than that, likely due to the difference in shape from the Head grip (which was 1/2). I changed the stock grip to a Babolat Skin Feel (with Supergrap overgrip) and now it feels about right. With strings and overgrip it's weighing in at about 11.6 oz and 4pts HL. Spec-wise it was exactly what I was looking for; something a tad lighter than the Head but with a slightly higher SW and less HL and so far it's been right on the mark.

What's everyone's thoughts on the control versus power in the Pro One so far? Is it pretty string sensitive? Any arm/shoulder issues?

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IMO the racquet offers substantial control in relation to power. In contrast with other frames I've played it did not have the control of an Aero Storm Tour Cortex or Microgel Rad MP but the difference isn't that big. The power I personally would put in a category just below the APDGT, PD, EXO3 Black. String choice does make a difference to me. The normal assumptions hold true. Multi or gut = more pop. Full poly = lowered power. For me a hybrid has worked best so far but I'm getting adjusted to a full bed of multi. I've been playing singles with it since December and now that the honeymoon is over I've noticed it's not as forgiving as the 100 sq in. frames. I still love the weight and plow. The deep penetrating balls I can hit with relative ease are my favorite playing attribute of the racquet. I have used it in stock form.

Played two sets today with the pro one strung with solinco tour bite 16 at 56#........for me pure bliss.....controllable pop, spin moster, and just enough touch. Played softer than I expected.

Hit with the x-dual pro and wasn't that impressed. Strung it at 53 with SOLINCO barbed wire. Much lower powered racquet with a not so forgiving sweet spot. Great control, good pop if you hit the sweet spot.

I'll switch the strings in a week and try something else in it, but I prefer the pro one as of now.

I initially tried the pro one weighted up as it felt quite light to me, but gave it a whirl stock the other day. To my surprise it was a monster. Huge hitting on both wings and big on serve, very nice to slice with. Strung with TB @ 48. I liked it better than the weighted version. Still need more time hitting with it though

I am experimenting with different string combos. The combo of stick 4 is silky smooth and great feel, but is a tad too much power for my game.

The pro supex of stick 2 is great with this stick. Tons of spin, not too much pop, and great control.

I just strung the 1st stick today with the SOLINCO tour bite, so I'll give you more on this combo in a few days.

So far I love the feeling of the hybrid with the gut and poly, just need more time to get used to it. Probably will try Wilson champions choice next.

I have demo'd a ton of racquets and kept going back to my aeropro drive gt.........I loved the head prestige mp, but this once is special.........abou the same control and feel, but a bit more pop and comfort. I am done demoing.....this is this stick.

I have just purchases a brand new x-dual pro that is being shipped as we speak. This is the same stick as the pro one just in the 18x20 pattern. I am curious to do the comparison. I could wait till summer for the "pro one version" to be re-released so grabbed this one cheap.

Please let me know your combo's and comments

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Are the weight, balance and flex specs you list strung or unstrung? And where did you find them - from the barcode or an RDC machine? Thanks.

They are all from the serial number inside the throat, donnay lists the unstrung specs with the first part of the serial number. It's a fairy new thing as my x-red 99 did not have it, my pro ones all have it,but the x-dual pro does not. I think it's a great thing donnay does, shows they are not hiding the tolerance specs.

How does the Pro One compare to the Vantage 95s you played with? The Vantages were a bit heavier of course.

Best regards,

rlau

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Yeah the Donnay in stock form swings easier and is more powerful. Both are very solid frames. It's hard to judge feel since strings play a big part in how a frame plays and I never used TB with the vantage. But from what I recall, the V had a crisp feel to it with full poly, crisper to me than the pro one.

The last part is just the serial number of the racquet with those specs. I spoke to donnay and they will match additional sticks from this serial number. If they don't have the same spec racquet in stock, they will use lead to match them. But a lot of times they have them. I think it's great that donnay is up front with their manufacturing tolerances rather than hide them like the other brands. Nothing is worse than buying a second or third stick that is way off from your first.

My brother bought one for me today, and is bringing it back home with him.

I have had issues with my elbow, I'm thinking of using a full bed of Babolat VS natural gut.

What tension do you guys recommend? And do you think it might be too powerful? I don't care about the cost, can't play tennis if my elbow gets worse.

Thanks

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This racquet will definitely help your elbow. A multi or gut/poly hybrid will do wonders if you want a soft responsive racquet with a lot of touch. Full poly will tame thracquet a bit and give you pop when you lay into a ball. I like the full poly. Even with the poly, it is still a comfy stick

I just put in my order. It's expected to arrive at TW early this upcoming week and I might have it as early as Friday (I need a 4 5/8). I went with Head RIP Control 16 at 55lbs. I guess I'll find out if that's too much pop. I know I really like the demo Donnay sent me strung with X-Copoly 17, but the string is a little stiffer than I like (I currently play with an old Slazenger Pro Braided strung with Babolat Xcel 16 at 58lbs). This was the only racquet of all the ones I demoed that gave me significant and immediate improvement.

Anyone using the Dual Pro version of this (18x20)? Just received a demo from Donnay and have used it once so far. I normally hit fairly flat, driving balls, but like to use a little spin as well. Got good pop off my serves and controllable power on ground strokes. Need to play a bit more. Wonder how it compares to the Pro One version. Thanks.

Check the first page, I have one. I like the pro one better but my game is heavy topspin.......I believe if you are a flat hitter the 18x20 will serve you better. Also, depending on the strings the racquet will play completely different.

My pro one with SOLINCO tour bite plays my different than my other pro one with pro supex blue gear at the sae tensions.

To each there own....... The donnay is a great stick none the less.

Ps- With the x dual pro use a poly with more pop like tour bite. A less powerful poly make the frame way underpowered even for us heavy hitters

Check the first page, I have one. I like the pro one better but my game is heavy topspin.......I believe if you are a flat hitter the 18x20 will serve you better. Also, depending on the strings the racquet will play completely different.

My pro one with SOLINCO tour bite plays my different than my other pro one with pro supex blue gear at the sae tensions.

To each there own....... The donnay is a great stick none the less.

Ps- With the x dual pro use a poly with more pop like tour bite. A less powerful poly make the frame way underpowered even for us heavy hitters

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Thanks. I'm a 4.0/4.5, 1hbh, all courter, and do hit flatter (though with some spin here and there) so maybe the 18x20 is more suited to me. I played well with it in my first outing; have another match tomorrow.

I noticed in one of your posts that you were going to try some different strings in the Dual Pro; have you done that yet? Not sure what the strings are in the demo I have, but suspect it's one of Donnay's brands since it came from them. I have used TB in gut/poly hybrids so if I end up purchasing a dual pro, might try that out as part of a gut/poly hybrid.

1. The Donnay X - Copoly 17 @ 55lbs is playing a lot better for me now that the string has settled in with 3 hours playing time. Decent power, good control. Doesn't have the bite of a shaped poly. Overall a nice comfortable ride.

2. Lux Savage/Gosen Sheep. 52/56. Very powerful and to my surprise generates a lot of spin with decent control. The power is a tad much. Comfy on the arm. Will continue to play it to see how it performs with more time on it. Next time will try tension at 54/60.

Any of you tried the buttcap and/or slide weights with the Pro 1??? What results or performance differences have you noticed in utilizing them? I'm thinking of toying with them a bit. Especially for doubles play. I'd like the Pro 1 to be a little more HL.

Didn't seem to be an issue. Was low 50's upper 40's tension, 16guage. But, that being said, I found that the TB didn't last that long and had to change it out. Another cross I liked with gut was WC silver string. Seemed to last longer.

Yeah full natural gut i would string in the 60's.. might be too powerful otherwise. The pro one isnt that low powered either

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Thanks, I ended up going with 55 pounds with Klip Legend Pro 16. Just to be on the safe side with my elbow. Got it strung at Serving Aces in Moonee Ponds. Did a great job and the service was excellent. New grips installed and racquets wrapped in plastic! I felt like a pro, and only $25

Lets see how it goes tomorrow, but it looks awesome with black strings and swings really nicely.

Didn't have a chance to hit with it yet, hopefully I'll have a hit during a tournament in may, but the quality control really throws me off.

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Hi Auto, how many frames do you have and how different are they spec-wise?

I only have one, played with for about five hours now. Very nice frame. I do not have a customization kit, but replaced the synthetic stock grip with leather grip. Like the balance better now. It is strung with x-one biphase, full bed. Very comfy, but I hate the string movement. Spin and power are great, though.

Hi Auto, how many frames do you have and how different are they spec-wise?

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Not mine and not this particular model.
But he bought 2 and they differed greatly.

8g, 3 balance points and 5mm in length (we checked this on an unstrung frame). He just returned the frames.

Another friend who bought a Silver Lite model wanted to get a second one and he couldn't - another quality control failure.

What I like about Donnay is the Xenecore filling, though I wouldn't go as far as to state that it is any better than full foam filled frames.

Also the string spacing on many models is quite open and feels quite nice - spin wise. I'm not a fan of the Volkl PCP.

What I don't like is their crazy politics - frequent frame change, though I think that the direction they took with the newer frames is good. Although I regret they don't offer any more headlight extended frames.

I had great hopes for some of their frames but none of them really amazed me. They were from okay to bleeh so to speak.

As I wrote, I'm hoping to test drive this model in May but I'm more fascinated by the yet to be released Yonex Vcore Tour 97.

To tell you the truth if it wasn't for such a great poster as suppawat I would really just stop reading anything about Donnay.

The last obstacle to me saying I do to the Pro 1 for the next decade is the Prince Warrior. I played with many Prince racquets growing up so there is a nostalgia factor there. Plus the warrior may be a little more forgiving when I'm not at my best. We'll see. Had a USTA dubs match tonight and crushed the opposition. The P1 performed beautifully. That was not the case 2 weeks ago when my partner and I got mauled. I could not wield it with confidence and authority cuz I was tired going into the match. That led me to think an 11oz racquet would serve me better because with work/kids/work at home I'm often tired when I get to go play. Tonight reaffirms why I chose it and why it will be hard for another racquet to beat it. Power & precision where on. I'll see where the warrior stacks up in comparison.